Ch 1

Nature of light
Light Phenomena
• Light moves in straight lines (rectilinear motion)
• Reflection when incident on mirror
• Refraction when pass between transparent medium
• Interference
• Diffraction
• polarization
• Interaction with matter. (e.g. photoelectric effect)
So, we need theory to explain the light phenomena.
1- Theories of light
Wave (Hugen's) theory Corpuscular (Newton's)

Hyposies of wave theory of light: Hyposies of Corpuscular theory of light:

1- Light source emits light spherical waves inforowrd 1- Ligh source of emits very tiny elastic
and in all direction in ether medium.(primary particles inforward and in all directions.
spherical wave) 2- They travel with the speed of light
2- The spherical surface of wave is called Wavefront. 3- They can show the properties of light
3- each point on wavefront can emit wavelets 4- They cause the sensation of vision
(secondary spherical wave) in forward direction when fall on the eye.
4- wavelets and primary waves move through space Theory success to explain the reflection, refraction and
with the speed of light C=3x108 m/sec reactlinear motion of light, but can not explain
Theory success to explain the reflection, refraction interference, diffraction and polarization
interference, diffraction and polarization of light, but can
not explain photoelectric effect

2- Properties of light

Light rectilinear motion

i.e. the light moves in straight lines in a medium with the
speed of light dependent on the nature ofmedium
Fig. (1) Wave propagation.
(i) when the wave fronts are spherical
Light reflection (ii) when the wave fronts are planes
1- When light beams fall on polished surface (mirror),
it will be reflected
2- The incident and reflected angles are equal. (Fig )
 i = r 1
 Light refraction
1- when the light waves passes between two transparent
medium, it will be refracted. Refractive index (n)
2- The speed of light is different in different media. It is ratio of speed of light in vaccume(air)
over its speed in medium.
3- The refractive index of a medium is a ratio of
c
speed of light in space (c) to the speed of light n=
v
in the medium (v) n= c v
4- the Snell's law (Fig.3)

n1 Sin 1 = n2 Sin 2

prove the Snell’s law

Let v1and v2 be the velocities of light in the two media,
with v2<v1. Here the second medium is optically denser
than the first medium, Fig.(2)
As ray 1 reaches A, ray 2 will take a time interval "t" to reach
C. During "t" the secondary waves from B must travel a
Fig. (3) Huygens' construction for
distance BC such that light refraction

BC vt v
= 1 = 1
AD v2t v2
Now AB is the incident wave front and CD is the refracted wave front. Moreover angle BAC = 1
and angle ACD = 2 being the angle of refraction. From the triangle ABC and ACD

sin 1 AC BC AC v1
 = = = Notice
sin  2 BD BC BD v2
When the light wave propagate
In particular for our two media, we have in a medium the wavelength
only is changed but frequency is
n1= c/v1 and n2 = c/v2 constant
c  f 
or n1/ n2 = v2/v1 n= = 0 = 0
v n f n
Hence Eq. (1) and (2) becomes
n1 sin1= n2 sin 2
Which is known as Snell's law of refraction.

3- Electromagnetic Wave Theory (EMW)

1- The electromagnetic spectrum can be divided into several
bands based on the wavelength of the light waves. Visible light
represents a narrow group of wavelengths between about 380
nm (1 nm = 10-9 m) and 760 nm.

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  
2- Monochromatic light wave has single wavelength () Where e x and e y are unit vectors in the
+X, +Y directions respectively, Eo and Bo
3- The EMW formed from two component electric (E) and
are amplitude, i = − 1 ,  =2 is
magnetic fields(B), which are perpendicular to each other. angular frequency and k= is the wave
number. The t is time
4- the plane wave of electric field equation is
 
E ( z, t ) = e x E 0 exp i( wt − kz) .
The wave propagate in the +Z direction. And plane wave of magnetic (B) fields can be written as
 
B ( z , t ) = ey B0 exp i ( wt − kz) .
5- EMW related the speed of light in a medium with
Where  and o is the electric permittivity of
electric and magnetic properties as v = 1   for medium and space respectively. ( o= 8.85x10-12
C2/m2.N)
medium and c = 1  o  o for space  and o is magnetic permeability of medium and
space. (o= 4x10-7 N/A2)
c 
n= =
V  o o

Energy in light Waves

1- Intensity of Wave (I): is the rate of energy flow per unit area.
energy Power
I= = W/m2
time  Area Area

2- Poynting Vector (  ) is the rate of energy per unit area in a light wave.
 1  
= EB


The direction of  at any point gives the direction of energy flow.
E  1
3- Relation between E and B vectors B = hence the magnitude of  is given by  = E2
c c

The average Values of Intensity in light Waves

   
1- By using real part of E ( z, t ) = e x E 0 exp i( wt − kz) and B ( z , t ) = e y B0 exp i ( wt − kz) . the
intensity of the wave is 1- Using B = E c in terms of E
I = =
1
EB =
1
E2 =
1
E 02 cos2 (wt − kZ ) 2- Using e i = Cos + i Sin
c c c 3- The average of Cos2 = 1/2
1 c
I = E02 or I= B02
2c 2

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The Root mean Square Values of Intensity in light Waves
1- Using the root mean square value
E0
Erms = I =
1 2
E rms or I=
c 2
Brms
2 c 

Light pressure
1- light waves carries energy, it also carries linear momentum (L= mass x velocity)
2- Light wave can make pressure and force on an object by incident on it.
3- Such force and pressure is very small
4- The pressure or force of light depend on the nature surface of object ( black or
polished surface)
5- Maxwell showed that, if the surface absorbs all the incident energy "U" in this time
interval (as does a black body), the total momentum "L" transported to the surface
has a magnitude
U
P =
C

6- The pressure exerted on the surface is defined as force per unit area (F/A). Let
us combine this with Newton’s second law:
force dL 1 d (U C ) 1 1 dU 1
Pr essure = =  =  =  
Area dt A dt A C dt A
1 dU 1 1 Power Intensity( I )
 Pr essure =   =  =
C dt A C A C
Light Pressure Rules

Black Surface (Total absorption) Mirror (Total reflection)

 I 1 1 1  2I 2 1 1
P= = =  E 02 = 2 E02 P=2 = =  E 02 = 2 E 02
c c c 2c 0 2c  0 c c c 2c 0 c 0
1 1
 c = 1  o o c2 =  c = 1  o o c2 =
 o o  o o
P=
1
 o E 02 or P =  o E rms
2 P =  o E02 or P = 2 o Erms
2

Light Force Rules

force = pressure x Area
Black Surface (Total Mirror (Total
absorption) reflaction)

I 2I
F=  Area F=  Area
c c
Fig. ( 4) Measuring radiation pressure.
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Example (1):
The wavelength of yellow sodium light in air is 589 nm. Calculate its frequency. What is its
wavelength in a glass whose index of refraction is 1.52 ? Find light speed in this glass.
Solution:
c 3  108
In air (as in vacuum) we have v= = = 5.09  1014 Hz
 589  10 −9

The wavelength in a medium with n is 0 589

n = = nm = 387.5 nm
The velocity of light in a medium is n 1.52
related to f and  as
v = f ×n = 5.090 x 1014 × 387.5 x 10 -9 = 1.972 x 108 m/

Example (3):
An observer at 1.8 m from a point light source whose power output P is 100W.
Calculate the r m s values of the electric and magnetic fields at the position of
the observer. Assume the source radiates uniformly in all directions.
Solution:
The intensity of the light at a distance r from the source is given by
Power Power
I = =
Area 4 r 2

1 1

  CP  2  4  10  3  10  100  2
−7 8
1
I = 2
Erms  Erms
2
= o 2  =  
 = 30.429 V m
o C  4r   4 (1.8) 2


Erms 30.429
Brms = = = 1.014 10− 7 Tesla
C 3 108

Example (4):

A beam of light with an energy flux n of 12 W/cm2 falls perpendicularly on a perfectly

reflecting plane mirror of 1.5 cm2. Calculate the force acting on the mirror

Solution:
2I
The average force acting on the mirror is given by: F =  Area
c
2  12  104
F = 1.5  10− 4 = 1.2  10− 7 N
3  108

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 Problems of Ch One
Nature of Light
(5) Light of free-space wavelength 600 nm travels 1.6 cm in a medium whose index of
refraction in 1.5 Find (a) the wavelength in the medium, and (b) the time difference
after moving that distance, with respect to light traveling the same distance in free
space.
Answer
 = 600 nm d =1.6 cm = 1.6x 10-2 m , n = 1.5
0 f o o
n = = =
 fo 
(a)
 600 nm
 = o = = 400 nm
n 1.5
d 1.6 10 −2 m
(b) to = = = 5.3 10 −11 sec
C 3 10 m / s
8

d d  n (1.6 10 −2 m) 1.5

t = = = = 8 10 −11 sec
v C 3 10 m / s
8

t = t − t o = (8 − 5.3) 10−11 sec = 2.7 10−11 sec

6- The intensity of direct solar light that was unabsorbed by the atmosphere on a
particular summer day is 100 W/m2. How close would you have to stand to a 500 W
light bulb to feel the same intensity? The bulb radiates informally in all directions.
Answer
I = 100 W/m ,2 P = 500 W

Power Power Power 500W

I = = r 2 = = = 0.398m 2
Area 4 r 2 4 I 4  3.14100 w m 2
r = 0.398 = 0.6 m

______________________________________________
7- A glass has an index of reflection n = 3/2. Calculate its dielectric constant k= O.
Assume  glass =  o.
Answer
1 1 C  g g g
C =  vglass = n = = =
o o g V  o o o
glass

g  k = n2 =
9
= 2.25
n = = k
o 4

8- Sunlight strikes the earth, outside its atmosphere, with an intensity of 1.4 kW/m2.
Calculate Eo and Bo for sunlight, assuming it to be a plane wave.
Answer
2 3
I= 1.4 kW/m = 1.4 x 10 W/m 2 Eo = ? & Bo = ?
1
I = Eo2  Eo2 = 2 oCI = 2 4 3.1410−7  3108 1.4103
2 oC
E 1027.15
 Eo = 1027.15 V/m Bo = o = = 3.4 10− 6 Tesla
C 3 108

_____________________________________________

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9- The maximum electric field at 5 m form a point source of light is 2.0 V/m. Calculate
(a) the maximum value of the magnetic field, (b) the average intensuty, and (c) the
power output of the source.
Answer
r=5m Eo = 2 V/m
Eo 2
a) Bo = = = 6.67  10 −7 Tesla
C 3  10 m / s
8

1 1
b) I = Eo2 I =  22 = 5.3  10− 3 W / m 2
2 oC 2  4  3.14  10− 7  3  108
c) Power = I  A = I  4r 2 = 5.3  10−3  4  3.14  52 = 1.66W
_____________________________________________________________
11- High-power lasers are used to compress gas plasmas by radiation pressure. The
reflection of a plasma is unity if its electron density is high enough. A laser generating
pulses of radiation of peak power 1.5 GW is focused onto Imm2 of high-electron-
density plasma. Find the pressure exerted on the plasma.
Answer

Power = 1.5 GW= 1.5 x109 W & Area = 1mm2 =1 x 10-6 m2

−9
power 1.5  10
 Intensity = = −6
= 1.5  1015 W / m 2
area 1  10
2I 2  1.5  1015
 Pr essure = = = 107 N / m 2
C 3  10 8

12- Radiation from the sun striking the earth has an intensity 1.4 kW/m 2. Assuming
that the earth behaves like a flat disk at right angles to the sun's rays and that all the
incident energy is absorbed, calculate the force on the earth due to radiation pressure.
Earth radius is 6370 km.
Answer
I = 1.4 kW/m2=1.4 x 103 W/m2
& Radius of earth = 6370 x 103 m
1.4  103
 3.14  (6370 103 )
I
 Force =  r 2 =
2
 Force = Pr essure Area
C 3  108

 Force = 59458.7  10 N
3

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13- A helium-neon laser has a beam power output of 5 m W at a wavelength of 633 nm. The beam
is focused by a lens to a circular spot whose effective diameter is 2. wavelengths. Calculate (a) the
intensity of the focused beam, (b) the light pressure on a tiny perfectly absorption sphere whose
radius is that of the focal spot, (c) the force exerted on the sphere, and (d) the acceleration imparted
to it. Assume a sphere density of 5 ton/m3.

Answer
Power = 5 mW = 5x 10-3 W , wavelength ()= 633 nm = 633x10-9 m

Diameter (d) = 2 or radius = 

−3 −3
power 5  10 5  10
a)  Intensity = = = = 3.97  1013 W / m2
area r 2
(
3.14  6.33  10−9 )2

I power 3.97  10 13
b)  Pr essure = = = = N / m2
C (r )  C
2
3  108
I 5  10−3
c)  Force =  r 2
= = N
r 2  C 3  108
Force Force
d) Acceleration = =
mass 4 
denisty  volume of sphere   r 3 
3 
1.66 10 -11
d) Acceleration = = 3126.5 m / s 2
 4
(
5  103    63310−9 
3 
)
3 

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